Tool holder with a locking mechanism

ABSTRACT

A tool holder comprises a back mounting plate having a slotted tool support plate extending forwardly therefrom with a slidable lock plate mounted on the tool support plate translatable between a position wherein arms on the lock plate close the slots or open the slots which are used to hold the tools in the tool holder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to a tool holderand, more particularly, to a tool holder designed to be useful forholding or storing pneumatic tools. The tool holder may include aretention or locking mechanism for retaining tools placed in the holder.The invention is therefore directed to various embodiments within thescope of the claims.

Automotive mechanics and repair technicians often rely upon varioustools including pneumatic tools. Typically, pneumatic tools includedisconnect plugs which are coupled to a pressurized air hose thatsupplies pressurized air to operate the tool and enable performance ofvarious mechanical functions such as fastening, drilling, etc. Multipletypes of air tools, as well as multiple types of air hose disconnectplugs are available in the marketplace. The disconnect plugs aregenerally designed to include a circular or peripheral slot or grooveadjoined by spaced, circular ribs. Typically, an air hose having a hoseconnector will include a fitting to engage the slot or groove and sealthe hose connector to the disconnect plug.

Heretofore, various devices have been made available to enable mechanicsand other technicians to store their tools in an organized fashion. Suchstorage devices may include brackets having a plurality of slots whichare sized and designed to receive and hold the disconnect plug, chuck ornozzle associated with a tool such as an air tool. Tools manufactured ormade available by Pomona Electronics, their model number 4408M, DunstonManufacturing product number ATR 19R and California Car Cover Company,air tool rack SKU number RB2340 comprise typical storage for toolholders of the type made available for mechanics. Another such tool ismade available by SJ Discount Tools, their product number 2000,identified as “Mechanics Time Saver”. Promotional literature relating totools of this nature are incorporated herewith by reference.

While such tool holders are useful to mechanics in the performance oftheir profession, various issues associated with the storage of tools,particularly pneumatic tools remain. Maintaining the security of suchtools while not in use, for example, is such an issue. Securing suchtools in a fixed position within a tool holder when not in use providesyet another challenge. Positioning such tools conveniently on a servicecart or storage cabinet can present a further problem. These and otherconcerns have led to the development of the present invention andvarious embodiments relating thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, tool holder embodiments of the invention comprise a backmounting plate, a tool support plate extending generally transverslyfrom the back mounting plate and a lock plate that is typically slidablymounted on the tool support plate and movable between a locking positionand an unlocking position. The tool support plate includes one or morespaced slots extending inwardly from the front edge of the tool plate.The slidable locking plate includes arms which are movable into and outof a position over the slots to lock or release a chuck or connectorelement of a tool, particularly a pneumatic tool, into position in theslot. Thus, the lock plate is slidable to effect movement between alocking and an unlocking position. Typically, the front side of toolsupport plate adjacent each of the slots includes an upwardly extendingflange to facilitate maintaining a tool in position in the slot of thetool holder. Additionally, the lock plate may include a manual tab tofacilitate its sliding movement. Also, a lock may be provided to lockthe lock plate in a locked position or an unlocked position, dependingupon the desires of the user of the tool holder. The back mounting plateis designed for attachment to a wall or other support or by means offasteners or alternatively, may include a magnet or some other type ofmounting mechanism or it may be supported on support legs.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved toolholder, and particularly, a tool holder which is especially useful forstoring and holding pneumatic tools.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tool holder whichcomprises a support plate in combination with a lock plate mountedslidably on the support plate.

Another object of the invention is to provide an easily useable,light-weight yet highly rugged tool holder, especially useful forholding pneumatic tools, components and other tools.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive yet highlyfunctional tool holder construction.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention willbe set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to thedrawing comprised of the following figures.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view depicting the tool holder in a firstembodiment wherein various tools are held or supported thereby;

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 as viewed on the righthand side of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 depictedholding various tools;

FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of a second embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 7 is a rear, plan view of the support panel or bracket of theembodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of a locking plate or panel of the embodiment ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the support panel of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the locking panel of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is an end view of the locking panel of FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is an end view of the storage rack fastened or attached to atool cart; and

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 fastened to atool cart.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the figures, a first embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-5A iscomprised of a sheet or cast metal construction and includes a backmounting plate 10 with a generally integral, transversely extending toolsupport plate 12 projecting forwardly from the back mounting plate 10.The back mounting plate 10 and the forwardly extending tool supportplate 12 are typically fabricated from a formed sheet steel material,although the component parts may be cast or otherwise formed, and may beformed separately and attached together by welding, for example. Thetool support plate 12 includes a forward side 14 with a plurality ofslots, such as slots 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 extending from the forwardside 14 toward the back mounting plate 10. The slots 16, 18, 20, 22 and24 are generally equally sized, generally parallel and equally spaced.However, the slots may be uniquely sized in length and width anduniquely spaced one from the other. The distance of the inward extent ofthe slots toward the back mounting plate 10 from the forward side 14 maythus be varied uniquely from slot to slot.

The slots 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 have generally parallel sides, such assides 26 and 28, of slot 16, which are joined by a curved orsemi-circular inner section 30. The slots are surrounded at the forwardside 14 by upwardly extending flange sections 32 and 34, for example.The flange sections 32, 34 are provided to cooperate with chucks or theforward end of a disconnect plug of an air tool to retain the air toolin position within the slot, such as depicted in FIG. 1 withoutaccidentally sliding from the slot, for example, the slot 16.

A lock plate 36 is slidably mounted on the top side 38 of the toolsupport plate 12. First and second headed rivets 40 and 42 include ashank 43, 45 respectively which fits through elongate passages or slots44 and 46, respectively, in the lock plate 36 to limit slidable movementof the lock plate 36 in the direction generally transverse to alongitudinal axis of the slots, such as longitudinal axis 48 of the slot16. The lock plate 36 further includes forwardly extending L-shapedarms, such as arm 50 having a forwardly extending leg 52 and a secondleg 54 transverse to the forward leg 52 extending in the same directionas the slots 42 and 46. The arms 50 are rearward of the flange sections32, 34. Thus, sliding movement of the lock plate 36, limited by theconfiguration and the extent of the slots 44, 46, effects movement ofthe leg 54 of the L-shaped arm 50 to open or close access to the slot16. Similarly, the other slots 18, 20, 22 and 24 are open or closed bymovement or as a result of sliding movement of the plate 36 on the toolsupport plate. A manual tab 60 is provided at one end of the lock plate36. The manual tab or plate 60 extends generally upwardly from thesliding plate 36 and facilitates manual movement of the plate 36 betweena position which closes off each of the slots 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 andopens each of those slots for placement of a tool or part of a toolwithin the slot.

An opening 62 is provided in the lock plate 36. The opening 62 may bealigned with an opening 64 in the tool support plate 12. When soaligned, a pin or some other locking mechanism such as a padlock (notshown) may be inserted through the openings 62 and 64 to hold the plate36 in a locked position. Further, the pin or other locking mechanism maybe placed through the opening 64 when the lock plate 36 is in the fullyopen position to maintain the lock plate in that open position.

In use, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5A, the lock plate 36 slides to aposition to effect opening of each of the slots, for example, slot 16.The air tool may then be suspended by placing the disconnect plug orchuck of the air tool through the slot 16. To retain the air tool in thetool holder, the lock plate 36 may be manually slid to the closedposition where it will retain the tool and optionally, may be locked inthat position to retain the tool in the locked position. This providesfor enhanced security with respect to maintenance of the tools.

A second embodiment of the device comprises an elongated, L-shapedsupport panel 102 including a horizontal portion 103 with a verticalback plate 104 depending therefrom. The back plate 104 includes aplurality of apertures 105 that receive fasteners 41 to secure thesupport panel 102 to a tool cart or similar supporting structure. Theback plate 104 terminates at a lower edge with a U-shaped channel 106positioned thereon. The horizontal portion 103 terminates at an upwardlyturned retaining lip 107 and includes a plurality of spaced, linearslots 108 thereon. Adjacent an end of the horizontal portion 103 is alocking aperture 109.

The device also includes a lower locking panel 110 likewise including asecond horizontal portion 111 with a vertical portion 112 dependingtherefrom. An edge of the second horizontal portion 111 includes anupwardly extending U-shaped sleeve 113 that slidably receives the lip onthe support panel 102. Likewise, a lower edge 120 of the verticalportion 112 is slidably received within the U-shaped sleeve or channel106 on the support panel back plate 104. The horizontal portion of thelocking panel 110 further includes a plurality of L-shaped slots 114,each including a longitudinal section 115 that moves into and out ofalignment with the slots on the support panel, with a lateral section116 extending generally transversely therefrom. At an end of the lockingpanel is a lock 117 including a key-actuated receptacle 118 that isturned to extend or retract a latch member 119 through a lockingaperture 133. When the latch member 119 is raised, it simultaneouslyextends through the locking apertures 109, 133 on the locking panel andsupport panel.

To use the above described device, a worker lowers the lock latch andslides the locking panel 112 into a position where the longitudinalsection 115 of each L-shaped slot is substantially aligned with a slot108 on the support panel 102. A tool quick-connect air fitting ordisconnect plug 150 can then be slid into the aligned slots to suspendit from the panels. The upwardly extending retaining lip 152 of plug 150will prevent the tools from being inadvertently detached, even if thedevice is in an unlocked orientation. To prevent unauthorized removal ofany tools, a user slides the locking plate 112 sideways until thelateral section 114 of each slot encompasses each quick connect fitting,and the longitudinal sections 115 thereof are moved out of alignmentwith the support plate slots 108. At such time, locking apertures of thesupport plate and locking plate are aligned; the latch is moved to alocked position whereby it seats within the aligned locking apertures onthe two plates, preventing the locking plate from sliding relative tothe support plate.

The above described invention is not limited to the exact details ofconstruction and enumeration of parts provided or embodiments describedherein. Furthermore, the size, shape and materials of construction ofthe various components can be varied. Additionally, it is noted that thefirst embodiment provides for sliding movement of the lock plate uponthe upper surface of the tool support plate whereas the secondembodiment provides for sliding movement of the lock plate under thetool support plate.

Although there has been shown and described in the preferred embodimentof the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceedthe scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the inventionis to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.

1. A tool holder comprising, in combination: a back mounting plate; atool support plate extending generally transversely from the backmounting plate, said tool support plate including a forward side and aback side joined to the back mounting plate, said tool support platefurther including an open slot extending from the forward side towardthe back side; and a lock plate mounted on the tool support plate, saidlock plate including a retention arm moveable between a first positionclosing said slot and a second position opening said slot.
 2. The toolholder of claim 1 wherein the tool support plate includes a forwardretention flange along the forward side.
 3. The tool holder of claim 1including a plurality of spaced open slots extending from the forwardside toward the back side of the support plate.
 4. The tool holder ofclaim 1 wherein the lock plate is slidably mounted on the tool supportplate and is slidably moveable to effect said movement of said retentionarms between said first and second opinion.
 5. The tool holder of claim4 wherein the tool support plate includes a top side and said lock plateis slidably mounted on said top side.
 6. The tool holder of claim 4wherein the lock plate includes an upwardly projecting manual tab forengagement to slidably move the lock plate.
 7. The tool holder of claim1 including a locking mechanism for locking the lock plate in agenerally immovable position.
 8. The tool holder of claim 1 wherein thetool support plate includes a forward retention flange positioned oneach side of said slot along the forward side.
 9. The tool holder ofclaim 1 wherein the tool support plate includes a plurality of generallyparallel, spaced open slots extending from the forward side toward theback side, and further including an upwardly extending retention flangeat the forward side adjacent to each slot to retain a tool.
 10. The toolholder of claim 9 wherein the lock plate comprises an elongate plateincluding a plurality of L shaped retention arms extending toward theforward side from said lock plate, and further including an upwardlyextending manual tab for manual movement of the lock plate, said lockplate slidably mounted on the support plate, each one of said armscorresponding to a said one of said slots and movable simultaneously toopen or close said slots.
 11. The tool holder of claim 10 furtherincluding at least two mounting posts extending from said tool supportplate, each of said posts extending through a slide slot in said lockplate to guide and limit the sliding movement of the lock plate.
 12. Thetool holder of claim 10 further including a mechanism for locking thelock plate in a generally fixed position on the support plate.
 13. Thetool holder of claim 12 wherein the locking mechanism comprisesalignable openings in the lock plate and support plate and a rod memberpositionable in the aligned openings.
 14. The tool holder of claim 7wherein the locking mechanism comprises alignable openings in the lockplate and support plate and a rod member positionable in the alignedopenings.
 15. The tool holder of claim 1 wherein the lock plate ismounted for sliding movement over an upper surface of said tool supportplate.
 16. The tool holder of claim 1 wherein the lock plate is mountedfor sliding movement upon under a lower surface of said tool supportplate.
 17. The tool holder of claim 1 wherein said back mounting plateand said tool support plate are integral.